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Tag Archives: guided journaling

Even the well-seasoned therapist can feel “stuck” with a client who’s overwhelmed, blocked, or shut down. Suggesting expressive writing or drawing (“journaling”), either during or between sessions, can help get the process back on track. Both freewriting (writing whatever comes to mind) and guided journaling (starting with a specific prompt) are beneficial.

Journaling can help to:

Engage a therapy-shy or reticent client (especially teen-effective!).

Reduce overwhelm by changing abstract thoughts and feelings into concrete words on paper.

Lisa M. Schab, L.C.S.W. is a psychotherapist with a private counseling practice in the Great Chicago, IL area. She has authored seventeen books, including The Anxiety Workbook for Teens and Put Your Worries Here: A Creative Journal for Teens with Anxiety – the first in a new series of creative, engaging guided journals addressing specific teen issues. She teaches self-help workshops and professional training courses on both anxiety and journaling and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). To learn more about the use of journaling and guided journals as an adjunct to therapy, visit www.lisamschabooks.com. To earn continuing education credits on these topics, find Lisa’s professional training courses at https://www.pdresources.org/.